Carino SailingPaihia, Bay of IslandsSailing with Dolphins

Experience sailing in New Zealand's beautiful Bay of Islands. Carino is a purpose built 50ft catamaran owned and operated by a local sailing family. Relax with your professional crew, lend a hand to hoist the mainsail and jib, snorkel and enjoy the opportunity to view and swim with dolphins, land on an island to picnic and explore.

The Bay of Islands is made up of 144 islands, a short flight or 3 hour drive north of Auckland. It is one of New Zealand's favourite sailing destinations and known for its unspoilt bush-clad beaches and mild climate.

Dolphin Adventures

Carino Sailing and Dolphin Adventures invites you to experience a full day sailing adventure. We are the only locally family owned and operated sailing and dolphins business in the Bay of Islands. Sailing under the guidance of professional crew provides a relaxed way for guests to explore the bay.

Cruise past Motuarohia Islands and twin lagoon bay and many of the other 144 islands that make up the beautiful Bay of islands. There are several favorite islands that Carino can stop at in the course of your full day adventure. Your skipper will find a suitable calm cove to enjoy and the choice of activities is very much up to you, but can include snorkeling tours, nature walks and swimming. A barbecue lunch is held back aboard Carino NZ, with a fully licensed bar.

Throughout the day the tour will usually circumnavigate the islands in the Bay of Islands. Guests experience spectacular scenery, fascinating sea life, and truly explore the Bay of Islands Maritime Park. Sailing time approximately 6 hours.

Carino is the only yacht licensed by Department of Conservation to swim with the dolphins here. A Department of Conservation license allows guests on Carino to swim with dolphins if conditions allow. Interaction with the dolphins (especially swimming) is at the dolphins’ invitation. Skippers and crew are trained in recognising signs of avoidance or non-interest by dolphins. If dolphins are feeding, resting or if any pod contains juveniles or calves, during these times we can simply watch and appreciate the magic of wild dolphins. Viewing and swimming with wild dolphins in their natural habitat is an amazing and wonderful experience. We are conscious of the need to protect the dolphins and respect their habitat.

Departs 09:15am Paihia / 09:45am Russell | Duration 6 hours

Additional Information

Clients are required to call us the day before the trip to check sea conditions and weather forecasts.

Children under 8 cannot swim with the dolphins, 8-12 year-olds must be very confident in the water and accompanied by a parent or guardian in the water.

There is no guarantee of swimming with dolphins. Carino operates with a Department of Conservation permit for the protection of Dolphins and other marine mammals; interaction with them is governed by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. If the conditions of the Act are not met or the sea conditions are not safe then some trips will be viewing only.